cleanclean1 /kliːn/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective (comparative cleaner, superlative cleanest) 
Are your hands clean? clean towels Make sure you keep the wound clean. Wipe that sink clean when you’re done. As usual, she left her room clean and tidy before going to school. a spotlessly clean kitchen I want you to get those plates as clean as a whistle.2people/animals having a clean appearance and habits: Cats are naturally clean.3environment containing or producing nothing that is dirty or harmfulclean air/water/energy etc the Clean Air Act cleaner fuels► see thesaurus at environmentally friendly4fair or legal a)done in a fair or legal way OPP dirty: a clean fight b)showing that you have followed the rules: a clean driving licence He’s got a clean record. c)[not before noun] informal not hiding any weapons or illegal drugs: They searched him, but he was clean. d)[not before noun] no longer taking illegal drugs: Dave’s been clean for two years now.5not offensive talk, jokes, behaviour etc that are clean are not offensive or about sex OPP dirty: Oh, don’t get mad – it’s just good clean fun! Keep it clean (=do not offend people with what you say).clean living (=a way of life which is healthy and moral)6come clean informal to finally tell the truth about something you have been hidingclean about The government should come clean about its plans.7make a clean breast of it to admit that you have done something wrong so that you no longer feel guilty8a clean break a complete and sudden separation from a person, organization, or situation: Den left the next day, needing to make a clean break.9clean sheet/slate a record of someone’s work, behaviour, performance etc that shows they have not done anything wrong or made any mistakes: Jed looked forward to starting life again with a clean sheet. Lewis has kept a clean sheet in every game (=not let the other team score).10clean hands if a person, government, organization etc has clean hands, they have done something in a fair or legal way: Neither side is coming to the negotiating table with completely clean hands.11paper a piece of paper that is clean has not yet been used SYN fresh12smooth having a smooth or regular edge or surface: a clean cut Use a clean simple typeface for signs.13a clean bill of health a report that says you are healthy or that a machine or building is safe: Inspectors gave the factory a clean bill of health.14a clean sweep a)a very impressive victory in a competition, election etcclean for All the polls had pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats. Hopes that the French would make a clean sweep at the Games were dashed. b)a complete change in a company or organization, often by removing people15taste having a fresh pleasant taste: Add a little lemon juice to give the pasta a cool clean taste.16clean copy a piece of writing without mistakes or other marks written on it17movement a clean movement in sport is skilful and exact: He steadied his arm, hoping for a clean shot.—cleanness noun [uncountable] → clean-cut, → keep your nose clean at nose1(9)COLLOCATIONSnounsclean clothes· He had a shower and changed into clean clothes.a clean shirt/sheet/towel etc· Where are all my clean socks?clean hands· Make sure you have clean hands before you eat.verbskeep something clean· You should always keep your kitchen clean.wipe something clean (=use a cloth to clean a surface)· He started to wipe the blackboard clean.sweep/scrub something clean (=use a brush to clean something)· She quickly swept the floor clean.leave something clean· Please leave the apartment clean when you go.adverbsspotlessly/scrupulously clean (=very clean)· Hospitals must be kept scrupulously clean.squeaky clean (=completely clean)· I like my hair to be squeaky clean.phrasesnice and clean (=clean)· Their job is to keep the streets nice and clean.clean and tidy especially BrE:· I insist my children keep their rooms clean and tidy.neat and clean especially AmE:· Her kids were always neat and clean.clean as a whistle (=very clean)· The place was clean as a whistle.THESAURUSclean without any dirt or marks: · They need clean water to drink.· I don’t have any clean clothes.pure water or air that is pure does not contain any dirt, pollution, or bacteria: · I breathed in the pure mountain air.sterile /ˈsteraɪl $ -rəl/ completely clean, with no bacteria, and therefore safe for medical or scientific use: · Place a sterile bandage on the wound.· sterile needlesspotless completely clean – used mainly about rooms and clothes: · Her kitchen is always spotless.pristine /ˈprɪstiːn/ completely clean and new-looking: · He wore a pristine white shirt.immaculate as clean and tidy as it is possible to be: · The soldiers’ uniforms have to be immaculate.spick and span [not before noun] informal clean and tidy, especially after having just been cleaned: · By the end of the day, the whole place was spick and span.
WORD ORIGINclean1
Origin:
Old English clæneEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- clean-burning natural gas
- Clean air and water is a necessity of life.
- a clean towel
- A large house is difficult to keep clean.
- Are your hands clean?
- Cats are very clean animals.
- Dave's been clean for over a year now.
- Drivers with clean driving records pay less in insurance.
- Everyone wants a clean and honest election.
- Fortunately, the glass made a clean cut on his leg.
- Gene always has the cleanest desk in the office.
- He's been asked to tell some jokes in his speech but he's got to keep it clean.
- He changed into a clean shirt.
- I'll put some clean sheets on the bed.
- I couldn't get the tiles any cleaner.
- Join us tomorrow night for an evening of good clean fun.
- Monica is what I would call a clean freak.
- Our hotel room was lovely and clean.
- the clean lines of Morrison's drawings
- the car's clean style
- He smelt clean and I shut my eyes.
- Instead, they should provide the user with clean needles and information to help avoid infection.
- Nothing more dramatic than a cleaner environment.
- The Emperor, however, envisaged a city which was not only light and clean but also full of air.
- The graphics in Duke are cleaner, but they have a cartoon-like feel to them.
- They should be soft, clean, and even colored.
- This results in a clean, undistorted image which looks like it's come out of a laser printer rather than a fax machine.
THESAURUS
without any dirt or marks: · They need clean water to drink.· I don’t have any clean clothes.
water or air that is pure does not contain any dirt, pollution, or bacteria: · I breathed in the pure mountain air.
completely clean, with no bacteria, and therefore safe for medical or scientific use: · Place a sterile bandage on the wound.· sterile needles
completely clean – used mainly about rooms and clothes: · Her kitchen is always spotless.
completely clean and new-looking: · He wore a pristine white shirt.
as clean and tidy as it is possible to be: · The soldiers’ uniforms have to be immaculate.
[not before noun] informal clean and tidy, especially after having just been cleaned: · By the end of the day, the whole place was spick and span.
Longman Language Activatornot dirty not dirty: · He changed into a clean shirt.· I'll put some clean sheets on the bed.· A large house is difficult to keep clean.nice and clean/lovely and clean British (=very clean): · Our hotel room was lovely and clean.
completely clean - use this especially about clothes, rooms, or houses: · Nina keeps the kitchen absolutely spotless.· He was wearing a spotlessly clean white shirt.
things that are immaculate are completely clean and look new: · She wore an immaculate grey suit and a tasteful, blue woven hat.· The house was absolutely immaculate.
a room or house that is spick and span is very clean and tidy: · Every room in the house was spick and span.· We'll have the place spick and span in no time.
completely clean so that diseases cannot spread · Three out of five people in developing countries have no easy access to clean water.· The department is responsible for maintaining the bedrooms and public rooms in a clean and sanitary condition.
water or air that is pure is completely clean and does not contain anything harmful such as dirt or bacteria: · It felt good to get away from the city and breathe in some pure mountain air.· The water in the lake is so pure you can drink it.
extremely clean so that diseases are unlikely to spread: · Cleansall kills germs as well, leaving your kitchen clean and hygienic.hygienic conditions: · Meat products must always be kept in hygienic conditions.
completely clean, free from bacteria, and safe for medical or scientific purposes: · Red Cross officials say they are running short of disinfectant and sterile bandages.· Giving blood is perfectly safe. All equipment is sterile, used once and thrown away.
when you keep things clean to prevent disease the practice of keeping yourself and the place where you live or work clean, so that diseases cannot spread: · Restaurants may be closed down if they fail to maintain minimum standards of hygiene.· Schools should have policies to ensure good hygiene in kitchen areas.personal hygiene (=the practice of keeping your body clean): · A healthy lifestyle includes having a nutritious diet and good personal hygiene.
to use chemicals to clean a place, a piece of equipment, or a wound, in order to prevent disease: · The nurse cleaned and disinfected the cuts on his hands.· Disinfect the toilet regularly using bleach.
also sterilise British to make something safe to use by heating it or using chemicals, in order to kill all bacteria and prevent disease - use this about medical or scientific equipment, or babies' bottles: · Has the needle been sterilized?· Babies' bottles can be sterilized simply by boiling them in water.
to clean a room, house etc to make something clean by removing the dirt, dust etc: · I clean the windows every Saturday.· Tony was cleaning the inside of his car.· How often do you clean the kitchen?clean something up/clean up something (=remove dirt by cleaning, especially in a room, from a floor etc): · There was mud all over the carpet, and it took me a long time to clean it up.clean your teeth British: · I always clean my teeth last thing at night.clean behind/under etc: · Make sure you clean behind the stove.
to completely clean a room, cupboard etc, especially by taking everything out and putting it back in neatly: clean out something: · The apartment needs to be cleaned out before a new tenant can move in.· I think it's time we cleaned out the garage.clean something out: · We really need to clean the refrigerator out.
to clean your whole house very thoroughly, including things that you do not clean very often: · Barry spent the day spring-cleaning.· I want to spring-clean the whole apartment before Easter.
the things that you do to keep your house clean and tidy: · Housework takes up most of my time in the evenings.do (the) housework: · I hate doing housework so I pay someone to do it for me.
to make something clean with a cloth to remove dirt or liquid from something using a slightly wet cloth: · The waiter was wiping the tables.wipe something up: · If you spill any paint, wipe it up immediately.wipe up something: · Wipe up all that mess before you begin cooking.
to remove dust from furniture, shelves etc using a soft cloth: · She decided to dust the dining room furniture again.dust behind/under etc: · A thorough cleaning includes dusting under the wardrobes.· She didn't often dust behind the pictures.
to make something clean and shiny, for example your shoes or a piece of furniture, by rubbing it with a cloth or brush: · He polished the piano until the wood shone.· a polished wooden floor
to make shoes clean and shiny by rubbing or polishing them with a brush or cloth and shoe polish: · If you're coming, you'd better shine your shoes and put on a clean shirt.have/get your shoes shined: · You should have your shoes shined before the interview.
to clean something with a brush to clean something with a brush: · You should brush your jacket -- it's covered in dust.brush something off: · I brushed the crumbs off the sofa.brush your teeth: · Have you brushed your teeth yet?
to clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush and some water or soap: · Part of my job was to wash the dishes and scrub the floors.· Scrub the potatoes and boil them for 5-10 minutes.
to clean the floor or the ground using a brush with a long handle: · When everyone had left, Ed swept the floor.sweep up something/sweep something up (=remove something from a floor by sweeping): · Can you help me sweep up all the pieces of glass?
to rub a cooking pan or hard surface with a piece of rough material in order to clean it: · I scoured the pots and pans.· Scour the bowl with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
to clean something with a special cleaning machine also hoover British to clean something using a special machine that sucks dirt up off the floor etc: · Have you vacuumed the carpets?· You do the hoovering and I'll finish the kitchen.
someone whose job is to clean things someone who is paid to clean a house or office: · We finish work at six, and then the cleaners come in.· a window cleaner
a shop where you can take your clothes to be cleaned, especially with chemicals, not water: · My suit is at the dry cleaner's.· Can you collect my dress from the cleaner's?
to behave well especially spoken to do what people tell you and not cause any trouble - use this especially about children: · If you two don't behave, I'm taking you straight home.behave yourself (=behave well): · Make sure you behave yourselves when we visit Grandma.
someone who is well-behaved does not cause any trouble and does what other people tell them to do - use this especially about children, pets, or large groups of people: · Can I bring my dog? She's very well-behaved.· a well-behaved child· The crowd was noisy but well-behaved.
if a child is good , he or she does not cause trouble and does what he or she is told to do: · I was always very good at school.· He's a good little boy.be good! (=used to tell a child to behave well): · Bye now, Jessie. Be good.
British /behavior American to make a special effort to behave well by doing and saying the right things and being very polite, because you know other people are watching you: · Dinner was very formal, with everyone on their best behaviour.
to try not to behave badly, especially because you do not want to be noticed or caught: · Have a good time, boys, but try to stay out of trouble.· If I stay out of trouble till June, my parents will take me to Florida.
informal to behave well, especially by not doing anything wrong or illegal: · It's not a great job, but if you keep your nose clean, you should be promoted by the end of the year.· He's been sentenced to seven years in prison, but he'll be out in four if he keeps his nose clean.
: an orderly crowd/demonstration/march etc well-behaved and not violent or out of control: · Police said it was an orderly demonstration and there were no arrests.· The crowd were orderly and in good spirits.
books, films, jokes etc that are not morally offensive or harmful wholesome behaviour, activities, books etc are considered good and suitable for everyone, especially because they do not involve sex or swearing: · He read your new book and said it was wholesome and not at all offensive.· The good thing about this game is that it provides clean and wholesome fun for all the family.
: clean humour/jokes/language etc not offensive to anyone, especially because of not being about sex: · Join us tomorrow night for an evening of good clean fun.keep it clean (=not do or say anything offensive): · He's been asked to tell some jokes in his speech but he's got to keep it clean.
WORD SETSacid, nounaddict, nounaddicted, adjectiveaddiction, nounaddictive, adjectiveamphetamine, nounbong, nouncannabis, nounclean, adjectivecocaine, nouncoke, nouncold turkey, nouncontrolled substance, nouncrack, nouncut, verbdeal, verbdealer, noundesigner drug, noundetox, noundetoxification, noundope, noundope, verbdopehead, noundowner, noundrug, noundrug addict, noundrug baron, noundrug czar, noundrug dealer, noundruggie, noundrug rehabilitation, noundrug runner, nounecstasy, nounfix, nounganja, noungear, nounglue-sniffing, noungrass, nounhallucinogen, nounhallucinogenic, adjectivehard, adjectivehard drugs, nounhash, nounhashish, nounhemp, nounheroin, nounhigh, adjectivehigh, nounhippie, nounhit, nounjoint, nounjunkie, nounline, nounLSD, nounmagic mushroom, nounmainline, verbmarijuana, nounmescaline, nounmethadone, nounmule, nounnarc, nounnarcotic, adjectiveneedle, nounOD, verbopiate, nounopium, nounoverdose, nounpeddler, nounpep pill, nounpot, nounpsychedelic, adjectivepush, verbpusher, nounrecovery program, nounreefer, nounrehab, nounroach, nounscore, verbshooting gallery, nounsmack, nounsmoke, nounsniff, verbsnort, verbsnort, nounsnow, nounsoft drug, nounsolvent abuse, nounspeed, nounstash, nounsteroid, nounstoned, adjectivestrung-out, adjectivesubstance abuse, nountab, nountake, verbtrafficking, nountrip, nountrip, verbuse, verbwasted, adjectiveweed, nounwithdrawal, nounwithdrawal symptoms, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns Keep your room tidy. Whoever is responsible for this mess can clear it up immediately! His clothes were always neat and clean. The house seemed nice and tidy. The two of them scraped their dishes clean. The table needs to be scrubbed clean. a sparkling clean kitchen The whole house was spotlessly clean. Judith’s busy doing the spring-cleaning. The bullet passed straight through his skull.
· He had a shower and changed into clean clothes.
· Where are all my clean socks?
· Make sure you have clean hands before you eat.
verbs· You should always keep your kitchen clean.
(=use a cloth to clean a surface)· He started to wipe the blackboard clean.
(=use a brush to clean something)· She quickly swept the floor clean.
· Please leave the apartment clean when you go.
adverbs (=very clean)· Hospitals must be kept scrupulously clean.
(=completely clean)· I like my hair to be squeaky clean.
phrases (=clean)· Their job is to keep the streets nice and clean.
especially BrE:· I insist my children keep their rooms clean and tidy.
especially AmE:· Her kids were always neat and clean.
(=very clean)· The place was clean as a whistle.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· London’s air is cleaner than it has been at any time since 1585.
· I had no clean clothes.
· Wash the dirt off those boots before you come in.
· Who does the cooking in your family?
(=which does not cause pollution)· Iceland possesses sufficient quantities of clean energy sources that it does not need to rely on fossil fuels.
· It’s about time that we started cleaning up the environment.
· People who live in a very clean environment may have a lower immunity to germs.
· Next he had to clean the floor.
American English (=completely forget) He meant to invite Monica, but he clean forgot.
He meant to invite Monica, but he clean forgot. (=fuel that does not harm the environment)· The proposal is to cut tax on cars that run on clean fuel.
British English (=not offensive or not involving sex)· The show is good clean fun for all the family.
· Harry wiped his glasses with the corner of a handkerchief.
(=morally good and never doing anything bad)· The recent scandal has damaged his clean-cut image.
(=improve your image after it has been damaged)· The pop star promised to clean up his image after he was released from prison.
Keep your room tidy.· a bag of dirty laundry
Whoever is responsible for this mess can clear it up immediately!· His nails were neat and clean.
· I changed him into a dry nappy.
His clothes were always neat and clean. (=ought to be washed, cleaned etc) His hair needs a wash.
His hair needs a wash. The house seemed nice and tidy. The two of them scraped their dishes clean. The table needs to be scrubbed clean. (=one with no writing on it)
· We used to clean our shoes every evening before we went to bed.
a sparkling clean kitchen The whole house was spotlessly clean. Judith’s busy doing the spring-cleaning. The bullet passed straight through his skull.· Millions of people do not have access to clean drinking water.
· She finished cleaning the wound and began bandaging the arm.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Keep clothes scrupulously clean and well-cared for.· He was dressed in a scrupulously clean but threadbare dhoti and he wore a pale blue turban which exactly matched his eyes.
· Bull leaned out of the window, gripping the edge of the crumbling sill with spotlessly clean hands.· It's wide and white and spotlessly clean, and they take their Christmas very seriously.· Aggie was a spotlessly clean woman who prided herself on her housekeeping.· Owned by the municipality of Funchal, the whole facility is kept spotlessly clean.· All this is exquisitely landscaped, spotlessly clean and gives the impression of being the work of an inspired, efficient dictator.· Luckily, the Palace's spotlessly clean and well furnished rooms provide the perfect haven for a late siesta before dinner.· The pension is simply furnished, but spotlessly clean and very friendly.· Everything in our house was spotlessly clean.
· The basin in the corner was also very clean.· This meant that the interior of the longhouse was very clean.· Overall it's a very clean smooth shape.· First, let me say that I think Lute Olson runs a very clean program.· Both Maid Marian and Holy War are very clean engines and little smoke can be seen even when working hard.· A not very clean handkerchief trailed from the top pocket.· Rooms are very clean, bright, triple-glazed and air-conditioned-some even have en-suite facilities.· The tank contains a mixture of community fish and a Plec which keeps the tank very clean.
NOUN· There was that sudden, breathtaking chill of cold, clean air as you walked into the dome.· Environmentalists have spread the alarm about clean air and water.· Such procedures should aim to ensure efficient operation and the provision of fresh, clean air.· Where is there more opportunity to enjoy the elemental values of living, bright sun and clean air and space?· Her hair flew out behind her, and the clean air struck her face.· When the whole rotor system is spinning in clean air, it suddenly lifts very strongly-translational lift.· It was waiting lists, it was good, clean air, preserving community, the back-to-backs condemned.· I open the windows of my truck wide, to smell the fresh clean air.
· The influential Bell study gave them largely a clean bill of health as a model for determining disputes concerning entitlement to benefit.· And with a clean bill of health, Granato is promising to be same kind of performer he always was.· A clean bill of health has certainly helped, while the catches, crucially, have been sticking.· If the ship was given a clean bill of health, Customs Officials went on board.· They gave it a clean bill of health.· Charles ended up with a clean bill of health and a parking ticket.· Still, clean bills of health come easily from an impoverished medical system that revolves around pseudo-medicine and bribes.
· In such cases a clean break at 16+ removed many existing constraints and frustrations.· It was best to make a clean break.· Men may suffer just as much when a relationship fails, but they seem able to make a cleaner break.· He says it indicates a clean break with a stupid and superstitious past.· Gossip has it that his wife had recently left him and he wanted to make a clean break.· The adoption of an economy based on farming did not effect a clean break.· And this year the association has tried to make a clean break from the past.· Half of her wanted to get the journey and the parting over, to make a quick, clean break.
· Then I took my bag into a loo and took everything off and changed into clean clothes.· Ralph dressed carefully for the visit, in clean clothes.· She pulled on one of the towelling robes and wandered back into the bedroom, selecting clean clothes.· I went home and showered and shaved and put on clean clothes.· Besides, Ma would be glad of the clean clothes.· Kat and I searched our packs for our cleanest clothes.· He's never given enough clean clothes and he's chastised for the slightest thing.· Think how nice it would be to have on clean clothes and not literally smell like a goat.
· Don't shorten the stems, just tidy them to a clean cut, and do the same with any broken roots.· Where Clinton is rugged and earthy, Gore is clean cut and preppy.· That was something I could understand, and approve of - to make a clean cut.· I drew it downwards with a clean cut.· He had a few days growth of stubble but something about him was fundamentally clean cut.· They give a clean cut, keeping plants healthy and strong.· More teeth give a cleaner cut, and are better for cutting across the grain if a really smooth finish is required.· Each bundle is then clipped with garden shears to give a clean cut.
· Secondly, high technology industries are footloose - products such as microchips are easy to transport, and thrive in a clean environment.· Nothing more dramatic than a cleaner environment.· Preferences in politics can include anything from higher wages, a cleaner environment, world peace, or the realization of democracy.· By investing in public transport, we start to transform commuters' lives and create a cleaner environment.· New Zealand farmers have one big advantage in any marketing campaign: their country's sparklingly clean environment.· Even the most affluent - who can afford private health care and private education - can not buy a clean environment.· Indeed, that is what all pollution control is about - people paying to live in a cleaner environment.
· The Government has made moves to encourage owners of vehicles to adopt cleaner fuel, but action is slow.· While this step awaits technical advances, cleaner fuels for cars and lorries, such as methanol, are urged for immediate use.· Gas usage will increase particularly in the home-heating sectors and in industries requiring clean fuels.· A great deal of research effort is going into overcoming hydrogen's shortcomings, mainly because it's such a clean fuel.
· Bull leaned out of the window, gripping the edge of the crumbling sill with spotlessly clean hands.· Out of this sordid mix of political short-sightedness and commercial greed, no government emerges with clean hands.· The patient himself may pick one up with clean hands, but no one else.· No one comes to the bargaining table with thoroughly clean hands, but we can be thankful that they still show up.· Their support is based on a belief that the left governments have clean hands and have improved municipal services.· I wish I had discovered his method of undertaking glassfibre repairs with clean hands and no brush years ago.
· In a separate incident, Ferguson also showed Irvine a clean pair of heels.· I put on a clean pair of socks.
· The March Hare poured a little hot tea on its nose, and the Hatter began to look for a clean plate.· All that your hosts ask is that you observe some simple decorum and take a clean plate each time.· He watches her in the yard with her cloth and bucket, as she kneels to tackle the clean plates.· Maybe because the routine of washing-up is basically enjoyable - hot water and clean plates at the end of it.
· If we started with a clean sheet of paper we would not plan it that way.· They are treading unfamiliar ground in the relegation zone and have failed to keep a clean sheet this season.· Also there is some funny rule regarding how long a player must be on the pitch to claim a clean sheet.· A clean sheet of blotting paper should be in the blotter. 5.· Bagshaw gave himself a clean sheet on all these points.· He copied it on to a clean sheet of paper.· Liverpool can not afford to concede a goal tonight-and James has yet to keep a clean sheet.· It was also a good day for goalkeeper Graham Brown, who kept five clean sheets.
· I wear a tang of aftershave and a clean shirt.· When he reached into his dresser drawer that morning, Jeffrey Pyle says, all he wanted was a clean shirt.· The parquet was shined, the table-cloths starched and the waiters had clean shirts.· They washed at a pump behind the church, and each child was dressed in a clean shirt.· Fresh hose a clean shirt, a cup of claret, a meat pie and a manchet loaf!· He got out of bed and put his clothes on, the same clothes but a clean shirt.· Ensure each male arrives at the party freshly showered and with a clean shirt.· When he was dressed, in a clean shirt and a fresh suit, he telephoned Inspector Lane.
· The bambina hardly knows me, let's give her, too, a start on a clean slate.· Many academics really do believe that all of us are now beginning once again with a clean slate.· The new-born child is virtually a clean slate, to be written on by the world.· Orson Pratt, one of the originals, stressed the clean slate of history on which they wrote.· Although there is never a clean slate on which to start planning, the new start provides the necessity for such planning.· He wanted to use the subsidiary as a totally clean slate and he wanted true collaboration from the beginning.· When things go wrong Many people today believe that children begin life with a clean slate.· Standard variable cost is better as any inefficiencies stay in the transferring division and the receiving division starts with a clean slate.
· Now is the time to make a clean sweep of all the jobs you put off during the bad weather.· I had made up my mind at the Scenic Overlook to make a clean sweep through the house.· A clean sweep, that was what was needed.· The poll also pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats in elections for lieutenant-governor and attorney-general.· Worrell averaged 83 with the bat, leading his team to only the fourth 5-0 clean sweep in Test history.· But he failed to achieve a clean sweep of the end-of-season awards.· Lismore's minor outfit were beaten 21-14 by Notra Dame to destroy chances of a clean sweep.
· Then they went into another tank of clean water and from there into an oven to dry.· Ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide and ozone assure crystal-clear, clean water.· Local government has not been able to supply clean water from surface sources.· While toy sales here have hit a record high they face a desperate shortage of clean water.· The clean water can then flow back into the river.· Alternatively, you will need to empty the bath and refill it with clean water.· Hands should be washed afterwards in clean water.· Drain peas, place in a large pan and cover with plenty of clean water. 2.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► make a clean breast of itPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► pick something clean► show (somebody) a clean pair of heels► spanking clean
- Why argue about the terms of the divorce when both of you just want a clean break?
- And this year the association has tried to make a clean break from the past.
- Gossip has it that his wife had recently left him and he wanted to make a clean break.
- He made almost a clean break with the game, except for some local television work.
- He says it indicates a clean break with a stupid and superstitious past.
- In such cases a clean break at 16+ removed many existing constraints and frustrations.
- It was best to make a clean break.
- Men may suffer just as much when a relationship fails, but they seem able to make a cleaner break.
- The adoption of an economy based on farming did not effect a clean break.
- A clean sheet of blotting paper should be in the blotter. 5.
- Everton's record of failing to keep a clean sheet in 15 matches soon looked ominously likely to continue.
- He wanted to use the subsidiary as a totally clean slate and he wanted true collaboration from the beginning.
- Hereford just can't keep a clean sheet and their lowly league position reflects that.
- Orson Pratt, one of the originals, stressed the clean slate of history on which they wrote.
- The new-born child is virtually a clean slate, to be written on by the world.
- They are treading unfamiliar ground in the relegation zone and have failed to keep a clean sheet this season.
- When things go wrong Many people today believe that children begin life with a clean slate.
- Bull leaned out of the window, gripping the edge of the crumbling sill with spotlessly clean hands.
- I wish I had discovered his method of undertaking glassfibre repairs with clean hands and no brush years ago.
- No one comes to the bargaining table with thoroughly clean hands, but we can be thankful that they still show up.
- Out of this sordid mix of political short-sightedness and commercial greed, no government emerges with clean hands.
- The patient himself may pick one up with clean hands, but no one else.
- Their support is based on a belief that the left governments have clean hands and have improved municipal services.
- Three months after the operation, the doctors gave her a clean bill of health.
- And with a clean bill of health, Granato is promising to be same kind of performer he always was.
- Charles ended up with a clean bill of health and a parking ticket.
- If the ship was given a clean bill of health, Customs Officials went on board.
- The influential Bell study gave them largely a clean bill of health as a model for determining disputes concerning entitlement to benefit.
- They gave it a clean bill of health.
- Lewis, Burrell, and Mitchell made it a clean sweep for the U.S. in the 100 meters.
- But he failed to achieve a clean sweep of the end-of-season awards.
- I had made up my mind at the Scenic Overlook to make a clean sweep through the house.
- Lismore's minor outfit were beaten 21-14 by Notra Dame to destroy chances of a clean sweep.
- Now is the time to make a clean sweep of all the jobs you put off during the bad weather.
- The poll also pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats in elections for lieutenant-governor and attorney-general.
- I need a clean copy ; don't send a fax.
- Only if you guard the unblemished original can you regenerate a clean copy.
- It's time the government came clean about its plans to raise income tax.
- The bank eventually came clean and admitted they had made a mistake.
- And when you picked hold of the fish and got hold of a piece it would come clean away.
- He felt happy to finally be able to come clean about it, but he felt her withdraw.
- In addition, you risk being fired when you come clean, another attorney pointed out.
- Labour will not come clean with its figures, so it is bound to describe ours as jiggery-pokery.
- So when the station came clean, they had to field several angry calls accusing them of pro-Nottingham Forest bias.
- Still, I must come clean.
- That is all very well, but why does he not come clean and give us Labour's figures?
- That night, at dinner, David and I came clean, and told our friends about singing to fish.
- Maddox was given a clean bill of health by his doctor.
- If the ship was given a clean bill of health, Customs Officials went on board.
- The influential Bell study gave them largely a clean bill of health as a model for determining disputes concerning entitlement to benefit.
- They gave it a clean bill of health.
- He needs to go before the public and make a clean breast of it.
- And when you picked hold of the fish and got hold of a piece it would come clean away.
- He felt happy to finally be able to come clean about it, but he felt her withdraw.
- In addition, you risk being fired when you come clean, another attorney pointed out.
- Labour will not come clean with its figures, so it is bound to describe ours as jiggery-pokery.
- So when the station came clean, they had to field several angry calls accusing them of pro-Nottingham Forest bias.
- Still, I must come clean.
- That is all very well, but why does he not come clean and give us Labour's figures?
- That night, at dinner, David and I came clean, and told our friends about singing to fish.
- All that changed, as inevitably it had to, but it was lovely and warm and fulfilling while it lasted.
- I always keep the heater on upstairs, so it's always lovely and warm.
- She said she was going out of her mind in California.
- He's been sentenced to seven years in prison, but he'll be out in four if he keeps his nose clean.
- It's not a great job, but if you keep your nose clean, you should be promoted by the end of the year.
- But journalists are supposed to keep their noses clean, or at least tell us when they don't.
- But keep his nose clean and take their money, and he could have a marvellous life in Berlin.
- a squeaky clean kitchen
- He's a squeaky clean kid -- doesn't smoke, drink, or do drugs or anything.
- John has a squeaky clean reputation.
- The floor is squeaky clean.
- Equally, all customers are not squeaky clean, so there's quite often a story to be told from both sides.
- How squeaky clean can I get?
- It's juice running down chins, fingers instead of forks, plates licked squeaky clean and belts loosened around waists.
- Not just as squeaky clean, boring Ewan Famber but as a man.
- The beginning of the main strip in Shelbyville is a squeaky clean residential area.
- This kind of possibility is a new experience for a city where the police department has always been viewed as squeaky clean.
- Verily, Jacob's Mouse are squeaky clean.
- Within minutes, Tamika, squeaky clean for the first time in days, is proudly pulling the clothing on.
- It would be nice if we could wipe the slate clean and start over.
- First among these was the introduction of penances which, it was hoped, would wipe the slate clean.
- We must start wiping the slate clean of all such inner accounting.
WORD FAMILYnouncleanercleaningcleanlinesscleancleanserverbcleancleanseadverbcleancleanlyadjectiveclean ≠ unclean
1not dirty without any dirt, marks etc OPP dirty: Are your hands clean? clean towels Make sure you keep the wound clean. Wipe that sink clean when you’re done. As usual, she left her room clean and tidy before going to school. a spotlessly clean kitchen I want you to get those plates as clean as a whistle.2people/animals having a clean appearance and habits: Cats are naturally clean.3environment containing or producing nothing that is dirty or harmfulclean air/water/energy etc the Clean Air Act cleaner fuels► see thesaurus at environmentally friendly4fair or legal a)done in a fair or legal way OPP dirty: a clean fight b)showing that you have followed the rules: a clean driving licence He’s got a clean record. c)[not before noun] informal not hiding any weapons or illegal drugs: They searched him, but he was clean. d)[not before noun] no longer taking illegal drugs: Dave’s been clean for two years now.5not offensive talk, jokes, behaviour etc that are clean are not offensive or about sex OPP dirty: Oh, don’t get mad – it’s just good clean fun! Keep it clean (=do not offend people with what you say).clean living (=a way of life which is healthy and moral)6come clean informal to finally tell the truth about something you have been hidingclean about The government should come clean about its plans.7make a clean breast of it to admit that you have done something wrong so that you no longer feel guilty8a clean break a complete and sudden separation from a person, organization, or situation: Den left the next day, needing to make a clean break.9clean sheet/slate a record of someone’s work, behaviour, performance etc that shows they have not done anything wrong or made any mistakes: Jed looked forward to starting life again with a clean sheet. Lewis has kept a clean sheet in every game (=not let the other team score).10clean hands if a person, government, organization etc has clean hands, they have done something in a fair or legal way: Neither side is coming to the negotiating table with completely clean hands.11paper a piece of paper that is clean has not yet been used SYN fresh12smooth having a smooth or regular edge or surface: a clean cut Use a clean simple typeface for signs.13a clean bill of health a report that says you are healthy or that a machine or building is safe: Inspectors gave the factory a clean bill of health.14a clean sweep a)a very impressive victory in a competition, election etcclean for All the polls had pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats. Hopes that the French would make a clean sweep at the Games were dashed. b)a complete change in a company or organization, often by removing people15taste having a fresh pleasant taste: Add a little lemon juice to give the pasta a cool clean taste.16clean copy a piece of writing without mistakes or other marks written on it17movement a clean movement in sport is skilful and exact: He steadied his arm, hoping for a clean shot.—cleanness noun [uncountable] → clean-cut, → keep your nose clean at nose1(9)COLLOCATIONSnounsclean clothes· He had a shower and changed into clean clothes.a clean shirt/sheet/towel etc· Where are all my clean socks?clean hands· Make sure you have clean hands before you eat.verbskeep something clean· You should always keep your kitchen clean.wipe something clean (=use a cloth to clean a surface)· He started to wipe the blackboard clean.sweep/scrub something clean (=use a brush to clean something)· She quickly swept the floor clean.leave something clean· Please leave the apartment clean when you go.adverbsspotlessly/scrupulously clean (=very clean)· Hospitals must be kept scrupulously clean.squeaky clean (=completely clean)· I like my hair to be squeaky clean.phrasesnice and clean (=clean)· Their job is to keep the streets nice and clean.clean and tidy especially BrE:· I insist my children keep their rooms clean and tidy.neat and clean especially AmE:· Her kids were always neat and clean.clean as a whistle (=very clean)· The place was clean as a whistle.THESAURUSclean without any dirt or marks: · They need clean water to drink.· I don’t have any clean clothes.pure water or air that is pure does not contain any dirt, pollution, or bacteria: · I breathed in the pure mountain air.sterile /ˈsteraɪl $ -rəl/ completely clean, with no bacteria, and therefore safe for medical or scientific use: · Place a sterile bandage on the wound.· sterile needlesspotless completely clean – used mainly about rooms and clothes: · Her kitchen is always spotless.pristine /ˈprɪstiːn/ completely clean and new-looking: · He wore a pristine white shirt.immaculate as clean and tidy as it is possible to be: · The soldiers’ uniforms have to be immaculate.spick and span [not before noun] informal clean and tidy, especially after having just been cleaned: · By the end of the day, the whole place was spick and span.